I remember the first time I went hunting for a Fried Motherboard in ARC Raiders. Man, was that frustrating! I raided map after map, looted every container I could find, and came up empty-handed time and time again. If you’re reading this, you probably know exactly what I’m talking about.
After countless hours of trial and error (and way too many failed raids), I’ve finally cracked the code on finding these elusive tech components. Today, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned about farming Fried Motherboards efficiently, so you don’t have to go through the same headache I did.
What the Heck is a Fried Motherboard Anyway?
Before we dive into the farming strategies, let’s get clear on what we’re actually hunting for. The Fried Motherboard is one of those rare technological items in ARC Raiders that makes you groan when you see it drop – but in a good way!
From my experience, this little circuit board is absolutely crucial for late-game progression. Here’s the quick breakdown:
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Technological (rare) |
| Weight | 3 kg each |
| Stack Size | 3 per stack (that’s 9 kg total!) |
| Sell Price | 2,000 Raider Coins |
| Main Use | Utility Station upgrades |
What makes this item so special? Well, it’s your ticket to upgrading your Utility Station from level 2 to level 3. Trust me, that upgrade is a game-changer for your base operations. But we’ll get into that later.
The Best Fried Motherboard Locations I’ve Found
Okay, let’s get to the good stuff – where to actually find these things. After running what feels like a hundred raids across all four maps, I’ve discovered that not all locations are created equal. Here are my top spots that consistently deliver:
Dam Battlegrounds – The Gold Standard
If I could only pick one map to farm Fried Motherboards, it would be Dam Battlegrounds every single time. Specifically, you want to head straight for the Research and Administration building right in the center of the map.
This massive complex is a goldmine for tech loot, and here’s how I approach it:
- Start from the top and work your way down – The upper floors seem to have better drop rates in my experience
- Hit every server rack first – These are your jackpot containers
- Don’t skip the desks and drawers – I’ve found plenty of motherboards in office furniture
- Check lockers and filing cabinets – Easy to miss, but often rewarding
I’ve had raids where I’ve pulled 2-3 Fried Motherboards from this building alone. It’s that good.
Buried City – My Backup Plan
When Dam Battlegrounds is getting too crowded (you know how it is when every squad heads to the same spot), I switch over to Buried City. The Space Travel building in the northern part of the map is my go-to here.
What’s interesting about this location is that the best action happens on floors 4-6. I’m not sure why, but that’s where I’ve found the highest concentration of tech containers. The building is packed with PCs, servers, and all sorts of electronic equipment that seems to spawn Fried Motherboards.
Spaceport – The Dark Horse
This one took me by surprise. I wasn’t having much luck on Spaceport until I discovered the Departure building. The server rooms in this building are absolutely packed with tech containers, and I’ve started finding Fried Motherboards here more consistently.
The key is to focus on the main server rooms first, then sweep through the adjacent offices. I’ve noticed that when other squads are hitting the popular Dam Battlegrounds spot, Spaceport is often relatively quiet – perfect for some uninterrupted farming.
My Farming Strategy That Actually Works
I’m going to share the exact method I use that’s helped me collect dozens of Fried Motherboards. This isn’t just theory – this is what I do every time I need to stock up.
Loadout Planning
First things first – you need to plan for the weight. Remember, each Fried Motherboard weighs 3 kg, and you can only stack 3 of them. That’s 9 kg just for motherboards! When you add ammo, grenades, and other loot, weight becomes a real issue.
Here’s my loadout philosophy:
- Light armor – Every kg counts when you’re planning to carry tech loot
- Bring extra storage – If you have gear that increases inventory space, use it
- Minimal ammo – Just enough to handle any threats you might encounter
- Focus on utility – Items that help you access containers or move quickly
The Route That Works for Me
I’ve found that stringing together two tech buildings in a single raid is way more effective than trying to loot an entire map. Here’s my preferred route:
- Drop near Research and Admin (Dam Battlegrounds)
- Clear the building systematically – Top to bottom, no rushing
- If I get 2+ motherboards, I extract – No need to get greedy
- If the building is crowded, I pivot to Spaceport – No point fighting over loot
- Always hit server rooms first – They have the highest drop rates
This strategy has given me the best results, and I can usually complete a successful run in 10-15 minutes.
Team Coordination Tips
If you’re running with a squad (which I recommend for safety), here’s how we coordinate:
- Split up on different floors – Cover more ground, communicate finds
- Designate a container caller – Someone calls out what they’re finding so we know what’s hot
- Meet at extraction – No one gets left behind with the goods
What to Actually Do With Your Fried Motherboards?
Okay, so you’ve got your hands on some Fried Motherboards. Now what? Let me break down all your options because there’s more to these than just the workshop upgrade.
The Big One: Utility Station Upgrade
This is why most of us are farming these things in the first place. To upgrade your Utility Station from level 2 to level 3, you’ll need:
- 3x Fried Motherboard
- 5x Advanced Electrical Components
- 3-4x Leaper Pulse Unit (I’ve seen both numbers, so check your workshop)
I’ll be honest – this upgrade is worth every bit of effort. The level 3 Utility Station opens up so many possibilities for your base, and it’s essential for late-game progression.
The Recycling Dilemma
Sometimes you find yourself with extra Fried Motherboards, or you need components more than you need the upgrade. Here’s your breakdown:
| Action | What You Get | When I Do This |
|---|---|---|
| Sell | 2,000 Raider Coins | When I need quick cash |
| Recycle | 2x Electrical Components + 5x Plastic Parts | When I’m low on refined electronics |
| Salvage | 5x Wires | When wiring is my bottleneck |
Here’s a pro tip I learned the hard way: always process your items in town (Speranza), not during raids. You get better component returns that way. I made this mistake early on and lost out on so many valuable materials!
My Personal Recommendation
If you ask me, I’d say sell your extras. At 2,000 Raider Coins each, they’re worth more than the components you’d get from recycling or salvaging. The only time I break them down is when I’m specifically working on a project that needs those exact components.
Advanced Tips I’ve Picked Up
I want to share some of the less obvious strategies I’ve discovered through trial and error. These are the things that separate the consistent farmers from the frustrated ones.
Container Priority System
Not all containers are created equal when it comes to Fried Motherboard drops. Here’s how I prioritize them:
- Server racks – Highest drop rate, always hit these first
- Tower PCs/computers – Second best, almost as good as servers
- Desk drawers – Surprisingly good, don’t skip these
- Lockers/filing cabinets – Decent chance, worth checking
- General containers – Lowest priority, but still check if you have time
Map Awareness
I’ve noticed that Fried Motherboards tend to spawn in areas with high technological density. Look for:
- Rooms with multiple server racks
- Office areas with lots of computers
- Any area labeled “Technological” on your map
- Buildings that look like they’d have lots of electronics
The more tech-dense an area looks, the better your chances of finding Fried Motherboards.
Timing and Population
One thing I’ve learned is that server population affects your success rate. When the servers are crowded:
- Everyone heads to the same popular spots
- Competition for containers increases
- Your chances decrease
My solution? I play during off-peak hours or switch to less popular maps. Sometimes the best farming happens when everyone else is asleep!
Common Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To)
I’ve made plenty of mistakes while learning to farm Fried Motherboards effectively. Let me save you some frustration by sharing what I did wrong:
Mistake #1: Spreading Too Thin
Early on, I tried to loot entire maps, thinking more area = more loot. Wrong! I’d spend 30 minutes running around and come back with maybe one motherboard if I was lucky.
What I do now: Focus on 1-2 high-density tech buildings per raid. Quality over quantity every time.
Mistake #2: Ignoring Weight Management
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to leave valuable loot behind because I was overloaded. Those 9 kg stacks of motherboards add up fast!
What I do now: Plan my loadout around the weight of the loot I expect to carry. I leave extra room for those unexpected but welcome drops.
Mistake #3: Processing During Raids
This was a big one for me. I used to recycle and salvage items during raids to save inventory space. Big mistake!
What I do now: I bring extra storage and process everything back in Speranza. The difference in component returns is significant.
My Final Thoughts on Fried Motherboard Farming
After all this time hunting Fried Motherboards, I can tell you that it’s definitely worth the effort. The key is to be smart about it – don’t just run around hoping for random drops.
Here’s my final advice:
- Focus on the right locations (Research & Admin, Space Travel building)
- Use a systematic approach (top-down, server-first)
- Plan for weight and inventory space
- Process in town, not during raids
- Be patient but efficient
I’ve gone from struggling to find even one Fried Motherboard to consistently collecting multiples per raid. It’s all about knowing where to look and how to approach it systematically.
FAQ: Everything Else You Want to Know
Q: What maps can drop Fried Motherboards?
A: Technically, all maps can drop them since they all have technological areas. But Dam Battlegrounds, Buried City, and Spaceport are by far the best. I’ve had the most success on Dam Battlegrounds specifically.
Q: How many Fried Motherboards do I actually need?
A: For the main Utility Station upgrade, you need 3 of them. But I always try to collect extras because you never know when you’ll need them for other things or when you might want to sell them for quick cash.
Q: Should I sell, recycle, or salvage my extra Fried Motherboards?
A: From my experience, selling is usually the best option at 2,000 Raider Coins each. Only recycle or salvage if you specifically need the components and don’t want to spend time farming them separately.
Q: Are the drop rates really better in the named buildings?
A: Absolutely! I’ve tested this extensively. The Research & Admin building and Space Travel building have significantly higher drop rates than random technological areas. I’d say my success rate is easily 3-4 times higher in these specific locations.
Q: How long should I spend farming before giving up on a raid?
A: I usually give a location about 10-15 minutes. If I haven’t found at least one Fried Motherboard by then, I either move to a different building or extract and try again. Don’t waste time on dead runs.
Remember to bookmark this guide – I’ll be updating it as I discover new locations and strategies. And if you’re looking for more gaming guides, check out our other articles on Plants vs Brainrots strategies and Fisch rod tier lists.
Happy hunting, raiders! And may your motherboard drops be plentiful and your utility stations maxed out!